June 2, 2008 — After many years of sacrifice and balancing studying, researching and
writing, not to mention family life and a full-time job, Vonda Wells is
the first Northern Arapaho Endowment scholarship recipient to earn a
doctoral degree from the University of Wyoming.

She officially graduated in May during UW's spring commencement.

Wells, from Kinnear, earned her Ph.D. degree in curriculum and
instruction. As a graduate assistant, she taught a human life span
development course to undergraduate students as part of her
assistantship.

After earning her B.S. in elementary education (1994) from the
University of Great Falls in Montana, Wells worked for the Shoshone and
Arapaho Head Start program in Fort Washakie on the Wind River Indian
Reservation.

She served Head Start for seven years, first as a co-teacher, then as
center director and later as education director. Returning to UW, Wells
earned her M.A. (2002) in curriculum and instruction and also served as
a Head Start Fellow in Washington, D.C.

Of Northern Arapaho and Blackfeet ancestry, Wells received Sky People
Higher Education scholarship support while obtaining both her
bachelor's and master's degrees. The Northern Arapaho Endowment
supported Wells in obtaining her doctoral degree.

In addition to her responsibilities at work and as a student, Wells
has four children -- daughters Kristal, Shila, and Shersa, and son
Royal. She is the daughter of George and Imogene Wells.

The Northern Arapaho Endowment was created in 1987 by a $500,000 gift
from the Northern Arapaho Tribe to UW. That gift was matched by the
state of Wyoming to create a $1 million endowment that produces income
for the annual scholarships. The endowment's current market value is
more than $2 million. It has provided more than $1.35 million to 75
individuals, 44 of whom have earned degrees and 11 who are now enrolled,
says John Nutter, assistant to the vice president in the UW Office of
the Vice President for Student Affairs.

"This endowment was established to help students from the Northern
Arapaho tribe gain formal knowledge, skills and abilities," Nutter says.
"The spirit of the award assumes that the recipients have, as part of
their ultimate goals, some direct participation, appropriate to their
educational background, in activities that will further the common good
of the Arapaho people."

For more information about the Northern Arapaho Endowment scholarships call Nutter at (307) 766-5123 or e-mail nutter@uwyo.edu.

Photo:UW Trustee James Trosper cloaks Vonda Wells of Kinnear with a
ceremonial Native American blanket during an American Indian Studies
Program celebration honoring graduates and scholarship recipients.